Leg buckling under me, anyone have this happen?
 

So feels my left leg, at times. :confused:

When I'm standing in my kitchen cutting up vegetables for supper (after a day of work), the last 2 nights, I've noticed when my eyes dart left or right quickly, my left leg feels like it just buckles under me, or 'gives out'.

I said it's like the sensation of sand falling through an hour glass, or water falling through a faucet. I have to 'right' myself quickly. The reaction's like when you begin to nod off and come to quickly... kinda hard to explain.

I can expect it now, but the first day I experienced it happening I wondered what on earth was going on now!

I don't believe this is 'foot drop', but I can't recall how that presents exactly. This doesn't happen when I'm out walking, just when I'm standing stationary in 1 spot for a while doing something/trying to remain focused on task at hand, leg gives out over and over and over. Enough that I lose balance on the left side that I have to catch myself to avoid a fall.

I've been getting cozy with leaning on the counter lately. My left side for my symptoms has always been my worst for pretty much everything. No shocker that a new symptom would show up on the left.

Anyone else have this one happen before? Is there a fancy medical term for this? I'm going to my GP Sept. 10th, so if there is it may make the conversation with her a lot easier. Thanks folks xoxo. :)

Claudication?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudication

I have experienced similar symptoms but in my case the leg/knee actually buckles and recovery by contracting the knee extensors is too slow or not possible; so I fall.
The sensation is like something has suddenly pushed on the knee from the back while I am weight bearing on it. If the knee flexes too much and/or if there is a lot of the body's weight on it at the time, down I go.

In neurogenic claudication there might be a narrowing of the spinal canal due to a disc bulge or spinal oteophytes (calcified extensions) and a particular standing postition or posture temporrily narrows it even further. Standard x-rays or a CT should reveal those defects and help in assessing the cause.

May this be temporary and resolve quickly on its own.

With love, Erika

It happens to me too, if I stand too long without moving my legs. I will most definately fall, unless I can sit quickly. For instance, when I fell trying to get into my minivan, last Nov..:eek: My weakness is on my left as well.

The lesson I learned was to always have a seat behind me and a place to hold on, just in case.:rolleyes: and to do my strengthening PT & OT every day.

There really is no med for this? If it's your MS, then it's just a matter of staying as safe and as strong as you can.

Keep in mind that there are other more serious causes for this too, such as "Poor Circulation". See your Doc, to make certain.:hug:

I've done the same thing.....and it's usually my left leg. The same leg that gives me fits with spasticity at night.

My son gave me some suggestions that he learned in his police training. I guess they have instances where they have to remain standing for long periods of time. Or remain very still while standing. He said if I'd bend my knees ever so slightly it would help. Well, I tried it and lo and behold it worked! Wedding coordinators tell this trick to the attendants who have to stand for the entire wedding ceremony. Depending on your religion or customs that could be a l-o-n-g time.

I still can't stand for really long periods of time without moving my legs or stretching them but this helps, for instance, while waiting in line or standing at the sink.

I don't believe it's claudication, though I'm not a doctor, and this is a new one for me.

What leaves me believing this is something else is this doesn't happen when I'm out walking at all. I also began recently experiencing spasticity in my left leg (same leg as the buckling is happening to) but ONLY 1. during the night (wakes me from sleep often, interrupts sleep) 2. when I stand up too quickly and try to move quick, especially on very humid days.

I noticed something else last night about the buckling... this is happening primarily when I am doing something that involves 1. standing in 1 spot 2. leaning forward/bending

Was brushing my teeth before bed last night and leaning forward to look in the mirror, bent a little, and wouldn't you know it? Buckled leg. Caught me off guard but luckily I was leaning on the counter.

counters are my best friend too;)

As time goes on, I am less and less able to walk about. The weakness and pain in my legs is mostly to blame. But last month, when I fell going down stairs, I realized that I can no longer take each step for granted. While going down stairs, which I rarely do, I turn sideways, hold on to the railing with both hands, and step down one step at a time. Last month, while going down stairs, was the first time I’ve ever fallen because my leg just went right out from under me. Thank goodness I was hanging on to the railing with both hands. It could have been a much nastier fall. Stairs are now off my itinerary.

Marion,

My mom has a terrible time with stairs but she found that if she goes down backwards it's much better. If you start to fall, you're leaning into the stairs, just like when you're going up.

C

I go down stairs backwards holding on to the railings. I've done it for years now.

I did the side ways bit until I gave up from fear of falling. I haven't been down my basement in over a year now....even on the stair lift.:eek::)

This is still such a mystery. It's still affecting me. I've now determined it's happening solely if i don't stand up straight and lean my hips/midsection on the counter to grab something from the cupboards/work at the counter/look in the mirror and lean in/bend. It's like my leg just gives out from under me, or the sensation of my leg falling out from under me.

I compared it like that feeling you get when you're almost asleep and then you get that sudden 'drop' feeling, and bam, suddenly you're wide awake again with your heart pounding.

Been toying with the idea of calling my dr, but I've been holding out till the 10th. REALLY don't want to take time off work for this and my appointment is on Sept. 10th anyway, however this is over a week now and isn't the only new neuro crud I've got going on. :cool:

Yes, I am stubborn! I just wish I had some type of clue as to what this could be! It could be as innocent as a middle ear infection, but it could be something more sinister.

Oh MS you silly disease, why must you complicate things so? :winky:

Hi, This leg buckling has happened to me on occasion. The surprise factor is the worst. It has happened pre ex and during but not every time. I have had the spasticity in both legs at night in bed occasionally for 10 years, but my left leg is the weaker as well. Thankfully it doesn't last for more than an hour. My calves have been getting painfully tight so I started doing stretches. Every a.m. I started doing slow, long lunges, and at night in bed, I lift each leg straight up and flex my foot. Lo and behold, I haven't had any leg issues at night since I started 3 months ago. That was a good surprise! Lol

I agree...love my counters at work. Left leg here too. Mostly though, before it happens, I notice that when it's about to gett weak...I watch the knee shift back & forth or forward & back. It usually happens when I'm tired.

The right side does this also, but, it's different. I don't know why, but on the right leg, it usually signals foot drag.

It's a new symptom & has only happened half a dozen times. Actually, I seem to have a lot of "new" symptoms. Maybe they'll just slink off & go party with someone else??

Lots of love to everyone~!! :grouphug:

Thank you so much for sharing Laurie. :hug: and for everyone else for being there (well, here!) with your experiences. I actually called my doctor's office today, and they insisted I go in this Wednesday. Would not take no for an answer. They'd have me in sooner if they weren't so jam packed with appointments with the kiddos going back to school very soon.

My right leg, surprisingly, was my spasticity nightmare today. Holy heck... wasn't even a very hot day either! Went with hubby to a dr. appointment, and went to get out of the car, only to almost fall over due to right leg seizing up. I told him to go ahead, I'd catch up. He was running a little too close to appointment time than I am comfortable with, he still hung around waiting for me anyway. :cool: lol... I hobbled to the door. Maybe I should get a placard after all like my neuro suggested a few years ago that I scoffed at and said I didn't need?

Long story short, dr. appointment moved to Wednesday. Need to make a laundry list up of symptoms.

Hi, I'm new to this forum. My 86 year old mother has recently experienced this issue. She spent 8 days in rehab & did very well. The same day she was sent home all the symptoms returned. She is now at my house & it's a continuous thing. Her doctor cannot see her until March 25. Has anyone here received a diagnosis?
Thank you

Hello Joe Scalissi and welcome to NeuroTalk.

A diagnosis? On this particular forum the most likely cause is a disease we all deal with --- Multiple Sclerosis. This is a disease of the Central Nervous System(CNS) which effects the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.

We have a "short circuit" in our internal wiring (CNS) which causes a whole host of problems and symptoms. Our bodies don't work or move smoothly due to this disease.

I am sorry about your mother, it's so very difficult for adult children to see their parent in ill health :hug:

Have you discussed your concerns and your mother's health (falling) with her Dr.? A phone discussion with her Dr. while you wait for her next appointment could be helpful. Take care :hug:

I'm sorry about your mother. Has she been diagnosed with any particular ailment or does she have MS?

What type of doctor do you have the appointment with? A family doctor or a specialist (Neurologist, Rhemy, ....)?

I have MS and my legs buckle or "give out" with no advance warning. I'm always either holding onto my walker or something solid nearby so I haven't fallen....yet....because of this.

I hope you can find some relief for your Mom. I know the situation doesn't make her happy, either.